Method of and apparatus for constructing tunnels.



1 w. HAMILTON. METHOD 0F AND A PPARATUS FOR CONSTBUCTIMG UNNELS.`

APPLICATION FILED AUG.3|| |916.

4llewtellted Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I m w11 w 111 K w 1\ m J. W. HAMILTON. METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOHCONSTRUCTNG-TUNNELS.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG.I3|. |916. 1,275,910.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

J. w. HAMILTON. METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTBUCTING TVUNNELS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.3I. |916.

I?5,910 Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

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JAMES W. HAMILTON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING TUNNELS.

Application filed August 31, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES WATT HAMIL TON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Constructing Tunnels, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in that method of con structing tunnels in which a shield is forced forward into the earth to be excavated, the earth within the shield being then removed and the shield again thrust forward. In this method of constructing tunnels there is of necessity a considerable area of roof or top of the tunnel unprotected and uncovered. When operating under this method in places requiring air pressure to hold back water and prevent it flowing into the tunnel, it frequently happens that the air forces itself through the unprotected earth. There is nearly always a very serious air leakage through the tunnel roof when working with the shield method.

It is one of the main objects of this invention to provide a sectional sheet metal shield for the tunnel, or so much thereof as may be found necessary or desirable, and to provide means for driving or forcing said sheet metal sections forwardly into the earth to be excavated. Each of the sections `is to be driven independently; and the said sectional shield is to be of such length as to completely cover the tunnel roof and to eX- tend from the completed permanent lining into the earth beyond what is termed the heading or earth wall at the end of the eX- cavated portion of the tunnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of constructing tunnels which consists primarily in providing a sectional metal shield for the tunnel, or a portion thereof, driving the said sectional shield into the earth a suitable distance, excavating a portion of the earth inclosed by said sectional shield; constructing the permanent tunnel lining at the rear ends of the said sheet metal sectional shield and then againforcing forward the sectional shield the desired distance withoutfreeing the rear end there? of from the completed permanent tunnel lining, whereby a substantially air tight covering will at all times be provided for the tunnel section between the completed tunnel Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. is, isis.

Serial No. 117,966.

lining and the earth wall at the end of the excavation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for driving forward each metal section independently, the driving means being suitably mounted to permit it to be moved from one metal section to the next during the driving operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet metal sectional shield for a tunnel, the sections being interlocked along their longitudinal edges in the manner of interlocking sheet metal pilings; and to provide means whereby each metal section may be independently driven or forced into the earth to be excavated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power hammer for driving the sheet metal sectional shield, said hammer being provided with means for yieldingly holding it against the end of the shield section, whereby it will follow the said section as it is driven.

There are other important objects and ad vantages of the invention which will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2, an end view thereof;

Fig. 3, a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view showing one method of constructing tunnels in accordance with this invention; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a slightly modified method of operating in accordance with this invention.

. Referring to the various parts by numerals, l designates the sheet metal sections which constitute the shield or cutter which is designed to be driven forward into the earth to be excavated. These sheet metal sections are formed along their longitudinal edges with interlocking ribs and flanges, the rib on one section fitting within the flanges on the adjoining section, in the manner of the well known sheet metal piling. These sections are arranged in a horizontal position and they are interloclred at their edges to form a semi-cylindrical shield as indicated clearly in Figs. l and 2. It is manifest of course, that the interlocked sheet metal sections. may be arranged as a shield of any desired shape or size in cross section. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sheet metal sections rest on a semi-circular forni 2, which is mounted upon a truck 3. It is manifest that the form may be of any desired shape and that the interlocked sheet metal sections may be readily conformed to said shape.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, two power hammers 4 are mounted upon swinging booms 5, said booms being pivoted to the center of the truck. In order to swing the hammer booms to bring the hammers in proper position to engage the sheet metal sections, said booms are provided with hoist ing cables 6 which pass over hoisting drums 7. 'Ihe hoisting drums may be of any suitable form. As the hammer booms are pivot ed at substantially the center of the truck 3, they may be swung to bring the hammers into engagement with the ends of the metal sections, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. The hammers are adapted to be operated by fluid pressure entering the cylinders 9 thereof through supply pipes 10. Any suitable form of power hammer may be employed, and I, therefore, have not shown the hammer 4 in detail. Each hammer is mounted upon a table 11, supported at the outer end of its boom 5.' -Each hammer is provided with longitudinally extending guide flanges 12 which engage guides 13 mounted on the table 11. On each table 11 is mounted a cylinder 14 in which is arranged a piston 15, said piston being connected to the hammer frame by a piston rod 16. Pipes 17 are connected to said cylinder near the ends thereof to admit fluid pressure on opposite sides of the piston 15. It is manifest that by permitting pressure on one side of the piston the hammer will be forced forward and caused to follow the metal section which itis driving. It is also manifest that by admitting fluid pressure to the other side of the piston it will withdraw the hammer from engagement with the sheet metal section.

The ends of the form 2 are connected to the truck 3 by means of turnbuckles and rods 19. The truck 3 is supported on adjusting screws 20, so that said truck may be raised and lowered as desired. By means of the turnsbuckles and rods 19 and adjusting screws 20, the form 2 may be slightly contracted or drawn inwardly from the sheet metal sections, and then may be lowered by vmeans of the adjusting screws 20, thus permitting the truck 3 and the apparatus carried thereby to be moved forward into the tunnel. After the adjustment of the truck to the proper position in relation to the sectional sheet metal shield the turnbuclrles and lin any other suitable manner.

It is manifest from the foregoing that the hammers may be brought into engagement with each one of the sheet metal sections and that each section may be individually driven forward the desired distance. Any suitable 'form or guide for the sheet metal sections may be employed and the said sections may be of any desired size and of any suitable construction. It is desirable that their lon 'gitudinal edges be inter-locked as indicated clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings so as to form a continuous interconnected metal shield for the roof of the tunnel. It is ob- "vious that the sheet metal sectional shield may be made to cover as much of the tunnel roof as may be found necessary or desirable. In Fig. 3, the sheet metal sections are each provided with a driving head 22, said head being connected to the sect-ion at a suitable point between the ends thereof and extending inwardly and projecting into the tunnel. This driving head is adapted to be engaged by the hammer as shown clearly in this iigure. In this method of operation the sheet metal sections are of such a length that they extend from the completed tunnel lining a suitable distance into the earth to be exeavated. The object of this is to provide a complete interlocked metal lining for the tunnel excavation between the completed permanent tunnel lining 23 and the earth wall 24 at the head end of the tunnel. operating under this method the sheet metal shield sections are never free of the permanent tunnel lining. After the shield has been driven forward the desired distance, the earth within the shield is excavated and the driving apparatus then moved forward to again engage the driving heads 22. A section of permanent lining is then placed in position, said permanent lining extending a suitable distance along the sheet metal sections. The said metal sections are then again driven forward into the earth and a further excavation made. The drivingapparatus is again moved forward and an additional portion of permanent lining formed. In this way the tunneling operation proceeds, a complete sheet metal lining being at all times provided for the excavation between the permanent tunnel lining and the earth wall at the head end of the tunnel.

In Fig. 4, a method of constructing ay tunn nel is illustrated in which the sheet metal sections remain as a part of the permanent tunnel lining. As shown in this view the metal sections are driven into the earth a suitable distance and are permitted to remain permanently in position, the additional metal sections being driven in overlapping relation to the sections previously driven.

In this way a permanent sheet metal sectional lining is provided outside of the permanent tunnel lining.

This invention consists, in its broad aspects, in providing a sheet metal sectional shield wherein the individual sections are capable of independent longitudinal movement. It is desirable that these independent sections be interlocked along their longi- `tudinal edges so they will maintain their alinement and proper relation throughout their entire longitudinal movement.

By providing a tunnel shield of the character described each individual section or plate may be driven forward into the earth to be excavated with a very slight expenditure of power as compared with the great power `required to drive the very large cut ters used in the old shield method of tunneling.

1. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a horizontally arranged power hammer for driving sald sections, and means for shifting said hammer to adapt it to engage each of said sections.

2. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a horizontally arranged power hammer for driving said sections, means for shifting said hammer to adapt it to engage each of said sections, and means for maintaining the hammer in operative relation to the sections as the said sections are driven forwardly.

3. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a horizontally arranged power hammer for driving said sections, means for shifting said hammer to adapt it to engage each of said sections, and yieldable means for maintaining the power hammer in operative relation to the section on which the hammer is operating'.

A. A tunnelinov apparatus comprising a shield formed ol, a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a horizontally arranged power hammer for driving said sections, means for shifting said hammer to adapt it to engage each of said sections, a fluid pressure device engaging the hammer and forcing it into engagement with the section on which the hammer is operating.

5. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of inde-pendently movable longitudinal sections, a power hammer, means for supporting said hammer, said means being movable to permit the said hammer to be brought into engagement with each of said longitudinal sections and means for moving said hammer bodily forward to maintain it in engagement with the section on which it is operating.l

6. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a power hammer, means for supporting said hammer, said means being movable to permit the said hammer to be brought into engagement with each of said longitudinal sections, a fluid pressure device for bodily moving the hammer forwardly to maintain it in operative relation to the section on which the hammer is operating.

7. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a movable truck, a form carried by said truck and adapted to support one end of the shield, a power hammer mounted on said truck and means for moving said hammer to bring it into engagement with the longitudinal sections.

8.4 A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of' a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a movable truck, a collapsible form carried by said truck and adapted to support one end of the shield, a power hammer mounted on said truck and means for moving said hammer to bring it into engagement with the longitudinal sections.

9. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed ol a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a 1novable truck, a form carried by said truck and adapted to support one end of the shield, a power hammer mounted on said truck and means for moving said hammer to bring it into engagement with the longitudinal sections, and movable means for maintaining the hammer in operative relation to the section on which it is operating.

l0. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, a movable truck, a form carried by said truck and adapted to support one end of the shield, a power hammer mounted on said truck and means for moving said hammer to bring it into engagement with the longitudinal sections, a fluid pressure device for maintaining the hammer in operative relation to the section on which it is operating. 11. A tunneling apparatus comprising a shield formed of a plurality of independently movable longitudinal sections, means for interlocking the longitudinal edges of said sections, a power hammer, means for supporting said hammer in a horizontal position, means for moving said hammer to adapt it to engage the said sections and yieldable means for moving said hammer longitudinally to cause it to follow the section being driven. y

12. A tunneling apparatus comprising a `movable support, a shield, a form carried by the support for sustaining one end of said shield, a swinging frame pivotally mounted on the support to rock transversely of the shield, and means supported on said frame 'for driving said shield.

13. A tunneling apparatus comprising a `movable support, a shield, a form carried by the support for sustaining one end of said shield, a swinging frame pivotally mounted on thefsupportv toy roel: transversely of the shielda' power hammer supported on said frame for driving the shield, and means for advancing the hammer -bodily toward the shield as the shield is drivenfforwardly thereby. Y

141.5'A tunneling apparatus comprising a d' movable support, a shield, a form carried by the support for sustaining one end of said shield,j a swingingframe pivotally mounted thereby.

`on thesupport to rock transversely of the shield, a power hammer s lidably supported in said frame for movement bodily toward and from the shield, and fluid pressureineans v mounted on the frame for advancing the` the shield is driven forwardlylhammer as 15. A .tunneling apparatus comprising a mer mounted on the truck, and means for '.V shifting said support to position the hammer i` to drive successive shield sections.

I 1 6. A tunneling` apparatus comprising a movabler truck, an arcuate form mounted on` said truck, a shield comprising independently movable longitudinal sections iexibly and slidably connected together` and supported on said form, a power hammer, and a swinging support for the power han'nner pivotally mounted on the truck at a point coincident with the axis of the arc oi? the form.

17. A tunneling apparatus comprising a movable truck, an arcuate form mounted on said truck, a shield comprising independently movable longitudinal sections supported on said form, a power hammer, a support forthe hammer pivotally mounted on the truck at a point coincident with the axis of the are of the form, and means for swinging said support to position the hammer to drive successive shield sections.

18. A tunneling apparatus Comprising a movable truck, an arcuate form mounted on said truck, a shield comprising independently movable longitudinal sections supported on said form, two power hammers, independently shiftable supports i'or said hammers 'pivotally mounted on the truck at a point coincident with the axis ot the arc of the form, independent means for swinging said supports to position each of the hammers to drive sections of the shield, and means for maintaining each hammer support in its adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

' JAMES W. HAMILTON.

A' Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the fCommissioner of atents,

Washington, D. C. 

